Question

Which of the following best describes the thoughts of Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer?

Option 1: We are amused when something contradicts our normal expectations.
Option 2: Relaxation for amusement defies human values.
Option 3: Quick retorts are generally disparaging to the listener.
Option 4: Humans do not naturally respond to humor.

Answer 1

Arthur Schopenhauer believed in the freedom and purity of contemplating beauty, which aligns closest with the first option, where amusement arises from the contradiction of normal expectations. So, the correct answer is option 1,

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options provided, the one that best describes the thoughts of philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer is Option 1: We are amused when something contradicts our normal expectations. Schopenhauer's philosophy celebrated the aesthetic contemplation of beauty as the highest form of intellectual engagement, where one can experience perfection of form without any worldly agenda.

This reflective contemplation is an end in itself, an enjoyment and an appreciation of beauty that exists beyond practical considerations and provides a respite from the strife and struggle of everyday existence. Schopenhauer believed that in engaging with aesthetics, the intellect is afforded clarity and freedom to appreciate beauty for its own sake, unencumbered by the demands and desires that typically govern our interaction with the world.